Treatment of varicoceles may improve fertility outcomes in subfertile couples where the male has a varicocele. This systematic review evaluates surgical or radiologic interventions for clinical or subclinical varicoceles.

There is no doubt that the treatment of varicocele improves fertility outcomes as summarized in the review. However, the science beyond the mechanism is not as clear. There is a sub set of patients whom varicocele treatment doesn’t result in a benefit. Continue efforts in the understanding of varicocele is needed to better select varicocele patients for treatment.

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